so i got my gold prospectors mag from the gpaa this weekend. There is an article about flint knapping. I have 3 very large chunks of obsidian and have always wanted to try it. First off let me tell you im not artistic nor patient when it comes to extremly tedious crafting, so im already at a disadvantage. I got one of my chunks and started to try and chip a suitable piece to make an arrow head (not easy) took 1/3 of my chunk to finally get a piece to use. That left a bunch of shards and sharp flakes scattered about. So i swept all the waste piecec and put them in a coffee can. Later after i had given up on the arrow head, i went out back to hang out with my kids. I didnt put shoes on thinking all was clear. I didnt notice that my wifes dog had knocked over the coffee can and scattered all the pieces on my patio. Somehow i made it through the mine field to the pool no problem then i got thirst and headed in to grab a drink, then all of the sudden i feel a snap and a shooting pain in the bottom of my foot. I reached down and yanked out what was lodged about1\2" in outer soul of my foot. It was a razor sharp piece of that obsidian. Stupid stupid stupid! I blead all over the patio. Luckily the wound sealed quickly. Now i have to put off another trip prospecting all because i read that dam article. Moral, literacy is over rated and becareful in your own back yard. Oh and throw away little pieces of obsidian! Hopeyou all had a great weekend
That aint too bad! But if i was to actually make and sell one it would cost a fortune to whoever bought one. I would have to charge for labor which would be in the range of 1000 hrs. Ill try and post some of the pics in the article of some of this guys work. If i can get a decent pic
damn it spur! Ur making me want to go out back and try again!! That is really neat, after my attempt at a little arrow head, i cant imagine the amount of tedious hours that took to make that. I wonder if there is anyone skilled enough to repair it without further damaging it? I am gonna keep trying to lean that skill but not in any hurry. Ultimately if i can learn it i would like to make a knife to use to clean fish. If youve ever cracked a large piece of obisidian you can see the melt patterns it left as it hardened, kind if like the grain in wood. I think i need to choose a piece with long strait "grain". In the magazine the pieces the knapper was using were the rainbow and moss obsidian. Really beautiful. Id be happy if i could make one that halfway resembled what the first humanoid could do. Its really tough though very brittle and delecate material. I am trying to make a arrow head out of a piece of fire agate. Using my dremel tool to shape it. Still not to easy but much safer.
Ya, diggin is much less hazzardous. Im just thankful it wasnt one of my kids. It could have been a lot worse, i steeped on it with all 220lbs thank god it wasnt any longer!! It deffinately went to the bone. Lately i cant win for losing! Arrrgh! It should heal up quick though. Nice clean wound. Thanks howard, did you get to dig any this weekend?
Comments
No Scott I didn't but I have read a few articals on knapping. the prices were not that bad the knifes ranged rfom 65 dollars up to 165 dollars.
We have a flint Knapper close here lives in Palo Cedro this is some of his work.
This was a gift from a good Indian friend be for he past away and some where down the long road of moving I broke it ahhhh.
Sounds alot Like one of my misadventures Scott, Heal Quick and stick to Digging ! Laughing Here !